Green Fleet

E-Car Club Launches Car Sharing at First UK University

January 28, 2014
• by Staff

E-Car Club, the U.K.’s first electric car-sharing service, has expanded its services to students and staff at the University of Hertfordshire. This is the car-sharing company’s first university location.

To start, there will be two Renault ZOEs and a Renault Fluence Z.E. available for 5.50 euros per hour. Each electric vehicle has a designated parking spot and an electric charging point (provided by Source East), according to E-Car Club.

“The University is always looking at ways to improve the travel choices for staff, students and the local community, and we are proud to be the first university to launch an electric car club,” said Scott Copsey, University of Hertfordshire’s transport planner and contributor. “We hope that by offering access to a low carbon form of transport, we can work together to reduce the cost and environmental impact of each journey undertaken.”

E-Car members can book the vehicle by phone or online, says the company. To access the electric vehicle, each member is given a smart card and secure code.

“The E-Car team and I are delighted to be launching this scheme in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and Source East,” said Chris Morris, co-founder of E-Car Club. “A first for the U.K., we’re confident the program will not only reduce transport emissions and costs for UH faculty, but provide a convenient, flexible and affordable transport option for university students as young as 19.”

About 95% of Mazda vehicles sold in 2030 will be powered by some form of electrification, and the company will also revive its rotary engine for use as a range-extender for one of two planned battery-electric vehicles, according to the automaker.